country
country — noun
1. A place that functions as a separate political unit, with its own elected govern
A place that functions as a separate political unit, with its own elected government, system of laws, and internationally recognised borders.
Madison visited Japan last year and was amazed by how clean the cities were.
country as a named political unit visited by a traveller
Every country makes its own rules about taxes, trade, and healthcare.
Bao's family left their home country to start a new life in Canada.
The treaty was signed by leaders from twelve different countries at the United Nations.
After the earthquake, other countries sent food, tents, and medical teams.
文法句型
a/an + country
the country
country + noun (compound)
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective (my country, your country, their country) or with 'the' when referring to a specific known nation.
常見錯誤
2. The entire population of a nation, seen as a group that shares opinions, feeling
The entire population of a nation, seen as a group that shares opinions, feelings, or experiences as one body.
The whole country watched the final match on television that night.
the whole country = everyone in the nation
When the team won the championship, the entire country celebrated in the streets.
The Prime Minister addressed the country on live television last evening.
News of the flood disaster shocked the country deeply.
The country voted to change its leader in a close and heated election.
文法句型
the + country + singular verb
用法筆記
This sense uses 'the country' as a collective singular noun. The verb is always singular even though the meaning is plural.
3. Land in areas away from urban centres, where fields, woods, and farms take the p
Land in areas away from urban centres, where fields, woods, and farms take the place of houses, shops, and streets.
Élise lives in the country, about thirty minutes from the nearest town.
live in the country = live in a rural area
We drove through miles of beautiful open country on our way to the lake.
The air in the country smells much fresher than the air in the city.
Constanza's grandparents have a small farm in the country near the river.
Ilan prefers the quiet of the country to the noise and crowds of the city.
- countryside
Very similar; 'countryside' more often emphasises scenic beauty or farmland.
- rural area
More formal and neutral; used in official or descriptive contexts.
文法句型
in the country
the country
open country
用法筆記
Always used with 'the' in this sense ('in the country', 'the country'). Unlike the nation sense, this has no plural form and cannot be used with 'a'.
常見錯誤
4. A large area of land that is known for a particular physical feature, type of ac
A large area of land that is known for a particular physical feature, type of activity, or historical connection, without having official borders.
The Lake District is some of the most beautiful walking country in England.
walking country = area good for hiking
This part of the country is famous for its excellent wine production.
Hiking across this rocky country requires strong boots and plenty of water.
The valley is sheep-farming country, with green hills that stretch for miles.
We travelled through thick forest country where the sunlight barely reached the ground.
文法句型
[adj] + country
[noun] + country
用法筆記
In this sense, 'country' is always uncountable and is preceded by a descriptive word (adjective or noun) that says what kind of area it is. Unlike sense 3, 'the' is not required.
5. A shortened way of referring to country music, a popular music style that began
A shortened way of referring to country music, a popular music style that began in the southern United States, typically featuring guitars, fiddles, and lyrics about everyday life.
Faisal listens to country on his way to work every morning.
listen to country = listen to country music
The radio station plays nothing but country all day long.
Wei bought tickets to a big country festival in Nashville last summer.
Layla's favourite kind of music is country, especially the older songs from the 1970s.
- country music
The full, more formal term for the same thing.
- country and western
An older, broader term; less common today.
文法句型
country (as a noun for music)
用法筆記
This is an informal clipping used mainly in conversation, radio, and music journalism. In formal writing, use the full term 'country music'.
country — adjective
1. Relating to or typical of the countryside rather than the city, often suggesting
Relating to or typical of the countryside rather than the city, often suggesting something simple, peaceful, or natural.
Liam grew up in a small country village surrounded by farms and forests.
country village = village in a rural area
Liam's parents bought a country house so they could escape the city on weekends.
The country roads were narrow and lined with tall old trees on both sides.
Madison prefers a quiet country life to the busy city lifestyle she used to have.
The country air felt cool and clean after the heavy rain.
文法句型
country + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before a noun (attributive). You would not say 'This area is country' — use 'rural' instead for predicative position.
2. Describing a simple, traditional style of decorating a home that is inspired by
Describing a simple, traditional style of decorating a home that is inspired by life in the countryside, often using natural materials and rustic furniture.
Their kitchen has a country style with wooden cupboards and a large farm table.
country style = traditional rural-inspired decor
Nala decorated her living room with country curtains and floral patterned cushions.
The inn has a warm country look with stone walls and a fireplace.
We bought a country-style cupboard made of solid oak wood.
文法句型
country + noun (style/decor/furniture)
用法筆記
Often combined with 'style' as 'country-style' (with a hyphen). This sense is most common in interior design and home-decorating magazines.
3. Made or prepared on a farm using traditional methods rather than in a large fact
Made or prepared on a farm using traditional methods rather than in a large factory, usually referring to preserved meats or dairy products.
Tunde bought some country ham from the local farmer's market on Saturday.
country ham = ham cured on a farm
The diner serves country sausage made with a secret family recipe.
Constanza's mother makes country butter from the milk of their own cows.
The bakery sells country cheese that is aged in a small stone building on the farm.
- factory-made
Produced in a large industrial facility.
- processed
Made with industrial methods and often artificial ingredients.
文法句型
country + noun (food product)
用法筆記
Primarily used in American English. The most common combinations are 'country ham', 'country sausage', and 'country butter'. Not used for fresh produce like vegetables.
4. Describing the style, sound, or culture of country music, which began in the sou
Describing the style, sound, or culture of country music, which began in the southern United States and typically involves guitars, fiddles, and storytelling songs about everyday life.
Layla plays country songs on her guitar at the local café every Friday.
country songs = songs in the country music style
The concert featured both new and classic country artists.
Mert bought tickets to a country music show at the arena downtown.
The radio plays a mix of pop, rock, and country hits throughout the day.
- country-and-western
An older term that is less commonly used today.
文法句型
country + noun (music/song/singer)
用法筆記
The full form 'country music' is more common in formal writing, but the adjective 'country' alone (as in 'country singer', 'country band') is standard in everyday use.